Adelaide CBD locked down in hostage standoff

Police have locked down part of Adelaide's CBD where South
Australia's most wanted man, Rodney Clavell, is holed up with
at least one potential hostage.

Police swooped on a building on King William Street at about
1am after being tipped off that Clavell, who has been on the
run since May 22, was inside.

He is believed to be armed, and with several people who
police say cannot leave, although have stopped short of
describing as hostages.

It's understood Clavell is holed up at a business called
Marilyn's Studio, which is an escort service.

Police have appealed for Clavell, who has had a history of
heavy drug use, to surrender amid fears the stand-off could
escalate.

South Australia Police Superintendent Peter Harvey, who is in
charge of the operation, said authorities wanted to end the
stand-off peacefully, and are urging Clavell to answer their
phone calls and speak with negotiators who are on the scene.

"Rodney, we know that you have concerns about your safety.
The reality is we want to end this peacefully," Supt Harvey
said.

"I am here to make sure this ends peacefully."

"All we need is for you to speak to us and come out and
everything can end safely this morning."

Supt Harvey said Clavell, who a decade ago was involved in a
shoot-out with police, was "probably not making rational
decisions" after so many days on the run.

"He's been involved in a siege before where he's been shot by
police. His reservations are probably normal," he told ABC
TV.

But he said the elite STAR Group police would take all
precautions.

"We're not taking any chances. We stand by our claim that we
know Rodney is armed - most likely at the minute," Supt
Harvey said.

"We have been aware for 14 days that he is armed, so we treat
him at the highest level of risk."

He would not confirm if those inside the building were known
to Clavell, but described them as "innocent people" who did
not "deserve to still be inside".

A warrant was issued for the 46-year-old former prison guard
on May 22 in relation to firearm and other matters.

Since then, police have conducted more than 80 raids in their
pursuit of the state's most wanted man, before a tip-off lead
them to the premises on King William St in the early hours of
Thursday.

Police shut down King William St at 1am on Thursday. There is
no public access between the block of Halifax Street, Sturt
Street, Angas Street, Gouger Street and Wright Street.

In 2004, Clavell used a 12-tonne grader to flee from police.
He was shot twice and tasered by STAR Group officers after
the 46km chase through the Adelaide Hills.